Katibeh-ILCRGInternational Journal of Society, Culture & Language2329-22106220180901Who has the “Right” to Use the N-Word? A Survey of Attitudes about the Acceptability of Using the N-Word and its Derivatives475832639ENWyman KingAlabama State University, USARichard EmanuelAlabama State University, USAXavier BrownAlabama State University, USANiroby DingleAlabama State University, USAVertis LucasAlabama State University, USAAnissa PerkinsAlabama State University, USAAyzia TurnerAlabama State University, USADestinee WhittingtonAlabama State University, USAQwa&#039;dryna WitherspoonAlabama State University, USAJournal Article20180603The N-word is the ultimate insult that has tormented generations of African-Americans. Yet over time, N-word derivatives have become popular terms of endearment by the descendants of the very people who once had to endure the N-word. Therein lies the root of an ongoing argument in society today: Who has the ‘right’ to use the N-word and N-word derivatives? A quota sample (N=347) of undergraduate students at a historically Black college/university in the deep-South participated in this survey study. Participants were mostly Black (88%) and female (62%). Using a five-point semantic differential scale from ‘always’ to ‘never’, participants were asked the degree to which they believe it is acceptable to use the N-word and N-word derivatives. A majority (76%) of respondents agreed that it is never acceptable for non-Blacks to use the N-word with anyone in any situation. Fifty-six percent of respondents agreed that it is never acceptable for anyone to use N-word derivatives with anyone in any situation.
N-word
Derivatives
Re-appropriate
Black
culture
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